A pre-conference workshop on “Assistive Technology Support for the Student with an IEP,” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1 at the UC Davis MIND Institute. Registration for the workshop is separate from registration for the Summer Institute.

Irva Hertz-Picciotto, professor and chief, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, will deliver the keynote address: “What Causes Autism? The Role of Environmental Exposures.” Other seminar topics will include health care reform in California, recent changes in the DSM-5, research on the heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorders, and evidence-based practices for medical and educational interventions.

Each presentation will be followed by an interactive follow-up session that will include case studies, a question-and-answer period and/or small group discussion.

The UC Davis Conference Center is on the UC Davis campus in Davis, Calif. The tuition for health-care and other professionals is $195; groups of five or more professionals from the same agency who register together qualify for a group rate of $180 per person. Tuition for students, parents or caregivers is $115; the rate for two parents or caregivers registering together is $175. Discounts will not be available and registration fees will increase after July 12. Registration is available online at http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cme/course_pages/MIND/mind_pagelink.html

The Aug. 1 pre-conference workshop on Assistive Technology Support for the Student with an IEP (individualized education plan) will be presented by Jillian King, coordinator, Placer County Special Education Local Plan Area and Jennifer Wright, Assistive Technology Program, Placer County Office of Education. The workshop will be held at the MIND Institute, 2825 50th St., Sacramento, Calif. Registration for the pre-conference workshop is separate from registration for the Aug. 2 conference. The cost is $50 and includes lunch. Registration forms and payment must be received by July 19. To register, please email ddcenter@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu, or call 916-703-0268.

The UC Davis MIND Institute in Sacramento, Calif., was founded in 1998 as a unique interdisciplinary research center where families, community leaders, researchers, clinicians and volunteers work together toward a common goal: researching causes, treatments and eventual preventions and cures for neurodevelopmental disorders. The institute has major research efforts in autism, fragile X syndrome, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Down syndrome. More information about the institute and its Distinguished Lecturer Series, including previous presentations in this series, is available on the Web at mindinstitute.ucdavis.edu.